Manual vs. RWD

[Tave]

You're looking for a new car and have it narrowed down to two choices: one is a nicely handling FWD car w/ a stick, the other a well-sorted automatic in RWD. Neither option stands head and shoulders above the other, you like both about equally, and the only defining characteristics are the transmission and driven wheels. Which do you chose?

I'd go with the manual--dynamics at the limit can be fun under the right circumstances, but a manual can be fun pretty much every time you get in the car.

[Soup DeVille]

Assuming everything else about the cars is as equal as possible; I'd go for the stick.

[MexicoCityM3]

I would probably go with the fwd manual. For example, I'd take a Cooper S manual over a 330i auto.

[2o6]

FWD, Manual.

[Laconian]

You'll enjoy the stick shift all of the time.

Driven wheels don't matter except at the limits.

[CaminoRacer]

Going off personal experience with an auto E46 and Camaro

sporty RWD > manual

[MexicoCityM3]

Going off personal experience with an auto E46 and Camaro

sporty RWD > manual

Hmmm. Both of those are RWD.

[CaminoRacer]

Hmmm. Both of those are RWD.

Yes, I loved both. Automatic RWD is much more fun to drift (dry or snow) than manual FWD.

[MexicoCityM3]

Yes, I loved both. Automatic RWD is much more fun to drift (dry or snow) than manual FWD.

I see. It is difficult to answer this question in general without talking of specific cars.

[CaminoRacer]

I see. It is difficult to answer this question in general without talking of specific cars.

True. I'd prefer an original Mini Cooper if compared to a Genesis

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Rear Drive Auto.

[giant_mtb]

This a tough one. If it was my only vehicle, FWD manual.  If I could also have truck, RWD auto.  I dunno, also depends on the vehicle. 🤔

[Soup DeVille]

I think we have to assume that these are otherwise very similar vehicles, and also that they're sporty enough for us to give a damn which wheels are driven. Like if there was still a compact FWD Subaru, versus an automatic BRZ.

[ChrisV]

I would probably go with the fwd manual. For example, I'd take a Cooper S manual over a 330i auto.

Hmmm. We replaced a Cooper w/manual with a 330Ci ZHP automatic. Both equally fun. The auto in the ZHP is much more comfy to drive in traffic, and yet still a blast when the traffic clears and the roads get twisty, like on the Tail of the Dragon. But it's still a vastly different, and much more powerful car, than the Cooper was.

For me, there are a LOT more factors that go into it, and it's hard to find a comparable FWD and RWD car regardless of transmission as they tend to be much different cars overall.

[Payman]

For a sporty driver, FWD manual. For me, I'd take a manual Cooper or GTi over an automatic Miata or BRZ. For a larger sedan, RWD auto.

[MX793]

How much power are we talking about?  Manual transmission generally trumps drive wheels for me, but when horsepower/torque starts getting much above 230, I might start re-thinking priorities.  Assuming the auto in the RWD car is a crisp, quick-shifting, unit with a responsive manual control mode and not some droning, TorCon slipping, slushy, recalcitrant fun-sapper.

[Raza]

Stick.

[veeman]

I would have a year ago said stick without hesitation but after renting a MB SLK (or SLC) turbo 4 with 9 speed auto and driven it in sport mode, I'm not so sure.  That car was so much fun.

I'd probably still get a stick though just for the psychological kick I get that fewer and fewer people can drive one. It's also cool that I never have to adjust anything in the car because my wife can't drive it.

[r0tor]

RWD

[565]

Does dual clutch count as auto?



If it does, then I'll pick RWD and auto because if you limit yourself to FWD and Manual, the most sporting car you could get is probably this:




On the other hand, Auto (if counting dual clutch), RWD, affords pretty much endless possibilities. 

[Raza]

In my opinion, dual clutch and "F1 style" SMG boxes are both automatics.

Of course, I'm Tave's example, the cars are roughly equal in all other aspects. It's not a Mini vs a Ferrari situation.

[SJ_GTI]

Tough call, but oddly enough IME RWD cars are more likely to have a manual transmission available than FWD or AWD cars.

My driven wheel preference is AWD and my transmission preference is manual, but it almost came down to RWD/Manual vs AWD/Auto. I feel like most sporty RWD cars do come with a manual transmission (BMW's, Camaro/Mustang/Vette, Chevy SS, Miata, BRZ, etc...). FWD/AWD cars are a bit more hit or miss. Audi has just about abandoned the manual transmission and I would be surprised is VW follows. I think BMW might technically still offer manuals on the xDrive models but it is more rare than the RWD models. Subura still seems to offer a lot of manual transmission models, hopefully that continues.

[veeman]

Tough call, but oddly enough IME RWD cars are more likely to have a manual transmission available than FWD or AWD cars.

My driven wheel preference is AWD and my transmission preference is manual, but it almost came down to RWD/Manual vs AWD/Auto. I feel like most sporty RWD cars do come with a manual transmission (BMW's, Camaro/Mustang/Vette, Chevy SS, Miata, BRZ, etc...). FWD/AWD cars are a bit more hit or miss. Audi has just about abandoned the manual transmission and I would be surprised is VW follows. I think BMW might technically still offer manuals on the xDrive models but it is more rare than the RWD models. Subura still seems to offer a lot of manual transmission models, hopefully that continues.

Yes, also Honda (civic/accord) and Mazda (3/6) still offer manual. 

[Xer0]

I can't think of a single FWD/Manual car in production now that I would own over a PDK equipped Boxster or a DCT M3 or any number of hyper/super/duper cars.  FWD is such a limited factor that tops out at a....Civic.  This question would be more interesting with a $$ cap, like lets say 35-40K.  At that point, you begin comparing a Civic Type R to a V6 Camaro/Ecoboost Stang/Stripper 230 and it becomes more difficult.

[Soup DeVille]

yes, as has been repeatedly mentioned it iind of breaks down if limited to current new car choices. I don't think that was ever really the intended question.

[SJ_GTI]

yes, as has been repeatedly mentioned it iind of breaks down if limited to current new car choices. I don't think that was ever really the intended question.

Then all other things being equal (and generally good) I would likely choose Auto/RWD over Manual/FWD. I would choose (Either)/AWD over both though. 

[Raza]

I can't think of a single FWD/Manual car in production now that I would own over a PDK equipped Boxster or a DCT M3 or any number of hyper/super/duper cars.  FWD is such a limited factor that tops out at a....Civic.  This question would be more interesting with a $$ cap, like lets say 35-40K.  At that point, you begin comparing a Civic Type R to a V6 Camaro/Ecoboost Stang/Stripper 230 and it becomes more difficult.

Yeah, but he's talking about hypothetical situation where the cars are otherwise equal. 

[Speed_Racer]

FWD stick - I don't drive anywhere near hard enough for FWD vs RWD to make a difference, so I'd rather row my own

[giant_mtb]

All things being equal, I'd probably go FWD/manual.  I dunno.  RWD is super fun in the winter, but that's about the only time I'm ever breaking traction on purpose.

[CaminoRacer]

All things being equal, I'd probably go FWD/manual.  I dunno.  RWD is super fun in the winter, but that's about the only time I'm ever breaking traction on purpose.

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